I've never played an Atelier game before and I don't really plan to, but as a composer, I have to admit the series has some of the most interesting and memorable tunes out there. This is everything a final boss theme should aspire to sound like, imo.
Was really hyped when I heard this song and fought the Queen in the second round and Im about to upload my final walkthrough to my channel and complete my playlist for the game plus I just pre ordered ultimate edition for Ryza 2 I’m really hyped to play the next one 😁
Depends entirely on your personal tastes. I personally don´t like Atelier games, as they´re way too close to the "Visual Novel" genre than I like my RPGs to be, and they´re really cutesy-weeby etc, which I find a bit off-putting. Also, some of the games put you on a timer, which certainly is not for everyone. That said, I respect the hell out of the games´ soundtracks. If you´re unsure if the game is for you, my bet is it probably isn´t.
This was my first Atelier game, and it lacked the timer- which as the previous person said was definitely off-putting for me. I decided to get the game because I guess i'm a "Weeb" for one. I guess anything anime-styled is "Weeb" now. And because it was recommended to me by a friend. After finishing the game, I'll say a few things about it without making this too long or spoilery. First, story: It's not absolutely phenomenal, but it's certainly not bad. The main party stays relatively small (6 when all is said and done) with each character having their own reasons for tagging along the adventures and getting involved with things. They're each given a decent bit of backstory, and it makes sense as to why they're there and that each of their motives are unique to them. I can't speak to the series as a whole, but for this game in particular there are two reasons why i'd recommend it as a buy: Item customization/crafting and it's just overall refreshing to play- at least to me. For that first point, there are many materials to gather and different effects/qualities those materials have. It is unlikely you'll ever create an exact copy of the same item twice (Unless you use the game mechanic obtained near the end for specifically that purpose) and it's fun playing around with it all to see how powerful you can make items if that's appealing to you. (Higher difficulties means higher quality items with better effects) As for refreshing, the general theme of the game, as seen in the MC's (Ryza) attire, is summer. Even during the more heavy moments of the game (Relatively speaking to the game's own story) there is a certain light-hearted feeling to it all that puts me at ease. That combined with the amazing, and often times relaxing, soundtrack was a pretty enjoyable experience all it's own. Lastly, simply wondering if "The game is for you" doesn't mean the game isn't. It simply means you're unsure. Overall, if you're on the fence, wait for it to be on sale (As it will be eventually, on either PSN or Steam) for it to be $40 or less, it's definitely a fun little adventure that I gladly paid full-price for and well. I can't regret it. Also NG+ features with harder difficulty unlocks and that stuff too.
Personally enjoyed it for the most part, but as a perfectionist its hard to let go and a literal SHITLOAD of work. You can be rather quick about it i suppose, but i just had to get everything to max before going to the final boss... so, yes the boss was a piece of cake then. There is a billion items to craft each with their unique "flavor" if you will, and I was just happy there was a single ultimate armor & weapon for everyone, so you didn't have to choose between many different ones like with everything else. Also 80% of gameplay is material collection, crafting at the atelier and storyline, not many big fights to fight unless you're grinding hard. So it's an amazing game, but very different, and definitely not something for people who easily get bored. Constant action is NOT what this game is. I sincerely hope they'll do more interesting combat in the second game, and slightly less variety of items and materials. It was just a tad too much for my nerves. Despite wanting to do everything perfectly I didn't quite fight all the bonus bosses yet... not entirely sure i can beat them either, even with 999 rarity on those equips... there are still perks to work on maybe I'll come back to it someday.
As someone who has played a LOT of Atelier, story/characterization is the weakest thing in the series. You do NOT play Atelier for the story or its characters. Both tend to be average on a GOOD day, and awful on average. BUT the games are all about alchemy/extensive crafting/customization, JRPG combat, the occasional neat aesthetics and, as you can already tell, REALLY good music. Just go into these games with that in mind, and you won't be disappointed.
I've never played an Atelier game before and I don't really plan to, but as a composer, I have to admit the series has some of the most interesting and memorable tunes out there. This is everything a final boss theme should aspire to sound like, imo.
I reconmend Ryza to be your first
Was really hyped when I heard this song and fought the Queen in the second round and Im about to upload my final walkthrough to my channel and complete my playlist for the game plus I just pre ordered ultimate edition for Ryza 2 I’m really hyped to play the next one 😁
Queen going full Kill la kill was a big surprise to me but not as surprising as Heaven Quasar Ryza (clock too OP)
🌟
why is this giving me major kingdom hearts vibes, was a version used for the soundtrack or the in game ambient music?
Is this game worth it? What's the main reason to get into this series? Is the story that good?
Depends entirely on your personal tastes.
I personally don´t like Atelier games, as they´re way too close to the "Visual Novel" genre than I like my RPGs to be, and they´re really cutesy-weeby etc, which I find a bit off-putting. Also, some of the games put you on a timer, which certainly is not for everyone.
That said, I respect the hell out of the games´ soundtracks. If you´re unsure if the game is for you, my bet is it probably isn´t.
This was my first Atelier game, and it lacked the timer- which as the previous person said was definitely off-putting for me. I decided to get the game because I guess i'm a "Weeb" for one. I guess anything anime-styled is "Weeb" now. And because it was recommended to me by a friend. After finishing the game, I'll say a few things about it without making this too long or spoilery.
First, story: It's not absolutely phenomenal, but it's certainly not bad. The main party stays relatively small (6 when all is said and done) with each character having their own reasons for tagging along the adventures and getting involved with things. They're each given a decent bit of backstory, and it makes sense as to why they're there and that each of their motives are unique to them.
I can't speak to the series as a whole, but for this game in particular there are two reasons why i'd recommend it as a buy: Item customization/crafting and it's just overall refreshing to play- at least to me. For that first point, there are many materials to gather and different effects/qualities those materials have. It is unlikely you'll ever create an exact copy of the same item twice (Unless you use the game mechanic obtained near the end for specifically that purpose) and it's fun playing around with it all to see how powerful you can make items if that's appealing to you. (Higher difficulties means higher quality items with better effects)
As for refreshing, the general theme of the game, as seen in the MC's (Ryza) attire, is summer. Even during the more heavy moments of the game (Relatively speaking to the game's own story) there is a certain light-hearted feeling to it all that puts me at ease. That combined with the amazing, and often times relaxing, soundtrack was a pretty enjoyable experience all it's own.
Lastly, simply wondering if "The game is for you" doesn't mean the game isn't. It simply means you're unsure. Overall, if you're on the fence, wait for it to be on sale (As it will be eventually, on either PSN or Steam) for it to be $40 or less, it's definitely a fun little adventure that I gladly paid full-price for and well. I can't regret it.
Also NG+ features with harder difficulty unlocks and that stuff too.
yes YES and YEAH
Personally enjoyed it for the most part, but as a perfectionist its hard to let go and a literal SHITLOAD of work. You can be rather quick about it i suppose, but i just had to get everything to max before going to the final boss... so, yes the boss was a piece of cake then. There is a billion items to craft each with their unique "flavor" if you will, and I was just happy there was a single ultimate armor & weapon for everyone, so you didn't have to choose between many different ones like with everything else. Also 80% of gameplay is material collection, crafting at the atelier and storyline, not many big fights to fight unless you're grinding hard. So it's an amazing game, but very different, and definitely not something for people who easily get bored. Constant action is NOT what this game is. I sincerely hope they'll do more interesting combat in the second game, and slightly less variety of items and materials. It was just a tad too much for my nerves. Despite wanting to do everything perfectly I didn't quite fight all the bonus bosses yet... not entirely sure i can beat them either, even with 999 rarity on those equips... there are still perks to work on maybe I'll come back to it someday.
As someone who has played a LOT of Atelier, story/characterization is the weakest thing in the series. You do NOT play Atelier for the story or its characters. Both tend to be average on a GOOD day, and awful on average.
BUT
the games are all about alchemy/extensive crafting/customization, JRPG combat, the occasional neat aesthetics and, as you can already tell, REALLY good music. Just go into these games with that in mind, and you won't be disappointed.
goddamn its Hayato Asano composed